Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
Author: Boris Gandon, intern January 2016 Asian Farmers' Association for sustainable rural development
(AFA); Agroecology through IDOFS as practiced by Jonjon and Eden Sarmiento and their four
daughters. Contact: Esther Penunia (estherpenunia@gmail.com)
52 Profiles on Agroecology:
Integrated Diversified Organic Farming System
absorb by the plants and holding moisture better than plain soil, this fertilizer also makes the plants
more resistant to pests and diseases because of the presence of the IMO. Worms can also be
released on the farm to support its overall soil health.
Integrated Rice-Fish Vine: A canal is dug around
and connected to a high water rice crop. Local
freshwater fishes (about ten species) and ducks
evolve in both the rice crops and the canal and
enrich it with their manure while regulating insect
populations. Other canals dug around the farm are
streamed toward this component, recycling
nutrients from the entire farm and enriching the
water, which can be used to complement the
nutrient sources used for other crops. Above the
canal, vertical bamboo trellises support various
vine crops including nitrogen-fixing crops like
beans. This system provides further shade on the
Figure 4. Integrated Rice-Fish Vine
canal and thus regulates the component’s micro-
climate, stabilizing water temperature, providing shade to the fishes and producing an additional
source of food. Separated nursery ponds are also developed to secure the population of the fish
ponds. Importantly, the bottom of the canal is heterogeneously designed and eatable comestible
indigenous plants are grown around and on the water (e.g. azola) in order to imitate a natural
ecosystem. This provides shade to the fishes and an additional nutrient source for both the family
and the livestock. Enabling conditions for natural regulators, such as spiders and frogs that are
observed in good quantity on the farm, contribute to the health of the component.
Agro-forestry: Trees are grown together in abundance, replicating a local forest ecosystem, in order
to maintain and improve soil fertility (nitrogen fixation), while providing windbreaks for the farm.
Humus and debris rich in IMO are collected for the vermicomposting system too. Endogenous trees,
observed to be much more resistant to natural disasters, are actively planted on the farm. Fruit
trees, another good nutrient source on the farm, are planted too. Medicinal values and traditional
uses of the trees grown on the farm are known and documented. The trees also provide habitat for
local wildlife, including bird species who also contribute to a healthy ecosystem on the farm.
Moreover, after some years, some of the trees can be used as material to build or to fix components
of the farm.
Mixed crop-tree component: Different varieties of crops and trees with different patterns (nutrient
needs, duration, physical use of space, sunlight needs) are planted in the same area, including vine
crops above low-growing crops. This diversity increases the opportunity for beneficial interactions
52 Profiles on Agroecology:
Integrated Diversified Organic Farming System
between species, enhancing the presence of natural regulators for pest insects. This diversity of
production leads to a richer diet for the family and reduces dependency on one or two crops that
may not do well for some reason. Because the area is regularly exposed to natural disasters such as
typhoons and floods, resilient and adapted crops are planted, such as root crops that are more
resilient to typhoons and taro in the lower part that can resist floods.
Flowering / Beautification: Flowers are actively planted in all areas
of the farm, along the walks and the components, attracting
pollinators such as butterflies and bees. These pollinators
contribute to the reproduction of crops and plants, and to a well-
balanced ecosystem both on the farm and in surrounding areas.
The family also highly values the beautification of the farm - they
recognize that the flowers contribute to their happiness and well-
Figure 5. Flowering around the farm being.
Learning centre for sustainable communities (SILANGAN) and farm-tourism: The learning centre
was developed when the farm was at a mature stage. It is a facility to host trainings and visitors, and
is built in the human living area using locally produced materials where they are available. The farm
is thus a learning site that provides a space to share and to teach local best practices for sustainable
agriculture. The site also hosts farm-tourism visitors, who can participate in the farm’s duties. The
visitors present many economic opportunities for the family and the isolated rural community, for
the provision of goods and services.
System of Rice Intensification (SRI): SRI is a well-documented low-water, labour-intensive, organic
method in which seedlings are separately grown in nursery beds, before being transplanted
manually and singly at a wide spacing. While the wide-spacing allows the plants to get more light
and more nutrients from the soil, the low water level pushes the rice roots to grow deeper,
obtaining more nutrients and becoming stronger to face pests and diseases. With increased sunlight
on the field, the wide spacing reduces the presence of insects and rats, while permitting the use of
weeders (during the first month) to reduce weeds and aerate the soil. The SRI allows excellent yields
while considerably reducing the seeds used.
Farm support
Producer organizations at local and national level, respectively the Mindoro Ecological and
Sustainable Agricultural Federation (MESAFED) and the National Confederation of Farmers and
Fisher Organizations (PAKISAMA), provide timely support to the family through trainings and tools.
The overall approach has been consolidated by PAKISAMA as the “Integrated, Diversified and
Organic Farming System” (IDOFS), targeting first and foremost the food and nutrition security of the
family through the development of sustainable and self-reliant small-scale farming. It has been
scaled up following natural disasters and as part of a transition away from vulnerable monoculture
production systems. The family farmers also hosted international farmer exchanges with farmers
from Bangladesh. The exchanges were facilitated by the Asian Farmers Association for Sustainable
Rural Development (AFA), Agriterra and FAO, to share experiences working with the IDOFS and the
farm strategic design.
Through these organizations and the active engagement of the family farmers, regular contact took
place with the Local Government Unit (LGU) and the provincial Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) of
the Department of Agriculture (DA), leading to the official recognition of the farm as a Learning Site
(LS) to provide on-the-field trainings. This recognition also facilitated the mobilization of public
institutions and partners in favour of the community following natural disasters.
52 Profiles on Agroecology:
Integrated Diversified Organic Farming System
As part of the farm strategy, a young graduate farm technician has recently been hired to support
the functioning and monitoring of the farm, and to assist in facilitating on-farm trainings. Social
media is also extensively used by the family members, to bond with and to mobilize the global
community. After typhoon Nona in December 2015, funds and tools (chainsaws) were collected
through social media to help clean up the farm.